\pi N scattering in relativistic baryon chiral perturbation theory revisited

We have analyzed pion-nucleon scattering using the manifestly relativistic covariant framework of Infrared Regularization up to {\cal O}(q^3) in the chiral expansion, where q is a generic small momentum. We describe the low-energy phase shifts with a similar quality as previously achieved with Heavy Baryon Chiral Perturbation Theory, \sqrt{s}\lesssim1.14 GeV. New values are provided for the {\cal O}(q^2) and {\cal O}(q^3) low-energy constants, which are compared with previous determinations. This is also the case for the scattering lengths and volumes. Finally, we have unitarized the previous amplitudes and as a result the energy range where data are reproduced increases significantly.Comment: 26 pages, 5 figures, 5 table

Proton charge radius extraction from muon scattering at MUSE using dispersively improved chiral effective field theory

The MUSE experiment at Paul Scherrer Institute will perform the first measurement of low-energy muon-proton elastic scattering (muon lab momenta 115-210 MeV) with the aim of determining the proton charge radius. We study the prospects for the proton radius extraction using the theoretical framework of Dispersively Improved Chiral Effective Field Theory (DI$\chi$EFT). It connects the proton radii with the finite-$Q^2$ behavior of the form factors through complex analyticity and enables the use of data up to $Q^2 \sim$ 0.1 GeV$^2$ for radius extraction. We quantify the sensitivity of the $\mu p$ cross section to the proton charge radius, the theoretical uncertainty of the cross section predictions, and the size of two-photon exchange corrections. We find that the optimal kinematics for radius extraction at MUSE is at momenta 210 MeV and $Q^2 \sim$ 0.05-0.08 GeV$^2$. We compare the performance of electron and muon scattering in the same kinematics. As a byproduct, we obtain explicit predictions for the $\mu p$ and $ep$ cross sections at MUSE as functions of the assumed value of the proton radius.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figure

Reconstruyendo el campo de los estudios en evaluación de Políticas Públicas en las universidades públicas españolas

En enero de 2023 entró en vigor en España la Ley de Institucionalización de la Evaluación de Políticas Públicas en la Administración General del Estado. Esta ley da un paso importante al establecer la evaluación de políticas públicas (EPP) como elemento para mejorar el uso eficaz y eficiente de los recursos públicos y dotar de una mayor transparencia al proceso de toma de decisiones. Para ello es necesario contar con personal capacitado para realizar las evaluaciones. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar cómo se estructura la formación universitaria dentro de las universidades públicas españolas en EPP y cómo los diferentes grados universitarios vinculados mayoritariamente a la Ciencia Política introducen la formación en análisis y evaluación de políticas públicas. A partir de la observación y análisis de la presencia de estas formaciones en las universidades, este estudio muestra cómo la EPP se encuentra en una fase bastante incipiente en el desarrollo dentro de los estudios de ciencia política, siendo un enfoque relativamente joven en España dentro de la Ciencia Política y parcialmente limitado a unas cuantas universidades. El volumen de créditos formativos en análisis y evaluación de políticas públicas sobre el total de la formación es marginal. Esto significa que, en términos de competencias alcanzadas al final de la formación universitaria y de la transferencia de esos aprendizajes al puesto de trabajo, depende de la realización de la formación universitaria en determinadas universidades.//In January 2023, the Law for the Institutionalisation of Public Policy Evaluation in the General State Administration came into force in Spain. This law takes an important step by establishing the evaluation of public policies (EPP) as an instrument to improve the effective and efficient use of public resources and to make the decision-making process more transparent. This requires trained personnel to carry out evaluations. The aim of this article is to present how university education in EPP is structured in the public universities of Spain and how the various university degrees linked mainly to Political Science incorporate courses on public policy analysis and evaluation. Based on the observation and analysis of the presence of these courses in universities, this study shows in the development of political science studies, EPP is at an incipient stage, this being a relatively young approach in Spain within the realm of Political Science and partially limited to a few universities. The proportion of academic credits in public policy analysis and evaluation out of the overall volume of courses is marginal. This implies that in terms of the skillset attained at the end of university education and its transfer to the workplace, it vastly depends on certain universities and the completion of their coursework

No two without three: Modelling dynamics of the trio RNA virus-defective interfering genomes-RNA satellite

Almost all viruses, regardless of their genomic material, produce defective viral genomes (DVG) as an unavoidable byproduct of their error-prone replication. Defective interfering (DI) elements are a subgroup of DVGs that have been shown to interfere with the replication of the wild-type (WT) virus. Along with DIs, other genetic elements known as satellite RNAs (satRNAs), that show no genetic relatedness with the WT virus, can co-infect cells with WT helper viruses and take advantage of viral proteins for their own benefit. These satRNAs have effects that range from reduced symptom severity to enhanced virulence. The interference dynamics of DIs over WT viruses has been thoroughly modelled at within-cell, within-host, and population levels. However, nothing is known about the dynamics resulting from the nonlinear interactions between WT viruses and DIs in the presence of satellites, a process that is frequently seen in plant RNA viruses and in biomedically relevant pathosystems like hepatitis B virus and its $\delta$ satellite. Here, we look into a phenomenological mathematical model that describes how a WT virus replicates and produces DIs in presence of a satRNA at the intra-host level. The WT virus is subject to mechanisms of complementation, competition, and various levels of interference from DIs and the satRNA. Examining the dynamics analytically and numerically reveals three possible stable states: (i) full extinction, (ii) satellite extinction and virus-DIs coexistence and (iii) full coexistence. Assuming DIs replicate faster than the satRNA owed to their smaller size drives to scenario (ii), which implies that DIs could wipe out the satRNA. In addition, a small region of the parameter space exists wherein the system is bistable (either scenarios (ii) or (iii) are concurrently stable).Comment: 22 pages, 9 figure

Motor Dysfunction as a Prodrome of Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND: Recognition of motor signs in the prodromal stage could lead to best identify populations at risk for developing Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: This study identified motor symptoms and signs in individuals suspected of having PD but who did not have a progressive reduction in the speed and amplitude of finger tapping or other physical signs indicative of bradykinesia. METHODS: 146 patients, who had symptoms or signs suggestive of PD, were serially evaluated by a movement disorder specialist, using the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part III and video recordings. If the patients 'converted' to PD during follow-up, they were categorized as cases and compared with those who did not meet PD criteria during follow-up (non-cases). RESULTS: The 82 cases were more likely to have action dystonia or postural/action/rest tremor of a limb (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.10-7.09; p = 0.02), a reduced blink rate at rest (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.18-4.55; p = 0.01), anxiety (OR 8.91; 95% CI 2.55-31.1; p <  0.001), depression (OR 7.03; 95% CI 2.86-17.2; p <  0.001), or a frozen shoulder (OR 3.14; 95% CI 1.58-6.21) than the 64 'non-cases'. A reduction of the fast blink rate was common in patients who met the criteria for PD (p <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes that motor dysfunction is a component of the clinical prodrome seen in some patients with PD

Histological and histochemical study of the digestive system of Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby, 1842)

Histological and histochemical studies on the digestive system of Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby, 1842) was carried out. Lips show a ciliated columnar epithelium with glycoproteins and acid and alkaline phosphatases, and α-D glucosidase activity. Esophagus and lips epitheliums are similar. Acid and alkaline phosphatases, α-D glucosidase and leucil aminopeptidase activities were detected. The epithelium of the stomach is ciliated and contains glands which secrete glycoproteins. Acid and alkaline phosphatases, α-D glucosidase, leucil aminopeptidase and amylase activities were found. The digestive gland is tubular, and several activities were detected in the tubules.Se han realizado estudios histológicos e histoquímicos del sistema digestivo de Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby, 1842). En los palpos labiales se observó un epitelio densamente ciliado, con mucopolisacáridos, que reveló reacción positiva para fosfatasas alcalinas, ácidas y α-D glucosidasa. En el esófago se advertía un epitelio cilíndrico ciliado con actividad fosfatasas ácidas y alcalinas, α-D glucosidasa y leucil aminopeptidasa. El epitelio estomacal es ciliado y contiene células secretoras de mucopolisacáridos ácidos. En este órgano se detectó actividad para fosfatasas ácidas y alcalinas, α-D glucosidasa, leucil aminopeptidasa y amilasa. La glándula digestiva presentaba un arreglo túbulo-acinar con células en estadios diferentes. Se reveló actividad para fosfatasas alcalinas, α-D glucosidasa, N-acetil-β glucosaminidasa y leucil aminopeptidasa. El intestino mostraba un epitelio de tipo columnar ciliado con células secretoras intercaladas.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

La construcción de políticas públicas para promover las microfinanzas como estrategia para la erradicación de la pobreza/The construction of public policies to promote microfinance as a strategy for the eradication of poverty

Varios factores determinan el crecimiento y desarrollo de aspectos sociales y económicos de la sociedad. La pobreza es uno de los principales obstáculos de alcanzar el grado máximo de este crecimiento. Se han implementado diversas estrategias para erradicar la pobreza y las instituciones microfinancieras se dicen que juegan un papel significativo en la reducción de la pobreza. Sin embargo, no es la única solución a este problema. Este trabajo pretende evaluar el impacto, estrategias y retos del sector de microfinanzas. Este artículo también evaluará el impacto de las regulaciones del gobierno sobre el crecimiento del sector micro financiero. Estos elementos se discuten en las secciones de metodología y discusión largamente. Los artículos evaluados en este trabajo llevaron a la conclusión de que el micro financiamiento instituciones juega un gran papel en la reducción de la pobreza, pero también es una necesidad para la sociedad a depender de otras estrategias para hacer frente a este problema. Además, también se concluye que diversos factores influyen en el éxito de las instituciones microfinancieras como las regulaciones gubernamentales y las sociedades en los que operan. Several factors determine the growth and development of social and economic aspects of society. Poverty is one of the main obstacles to achieving the maximum degree of this growth. Various strategies have been implemented to eradicate poverty and microfinance institutions are said to play a significant role in reducing poverty. However, it is not the only solution to this problem. This paper aims to evaluate the impact, strategies and challenges of the microfinance sector. This article will also assess the impact of government regulations on the growth of the microfinance sector. These elements are discussed in the methodology and discussion sections at length. The articles evaluated in this paper led to the conclusion that microfinance institutions play a great role in reducing poverty, but it is also a need for society to depend on other strategies to deal with this problem. In addition, it is also concluded that various factors influence the success of microfinance institutions such as government regulations and the societies in which they operate. Palabras clave: políticas publicas, microfinanzas, estrategia, erradicación, pobreza. Keywords: public policies, microfinance, strategy, eradication, poverty

Robustness of Generalized Linear Mixed Models for Split-Plot Designs with Binary Data.

This paper examined the robustness of the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). The GLMM estimates fixed and random effects, and it is especially useful when the dependent variable is binary. It is also useful when the dependent variable involves repeated measures, since it can model correlation. The present study used Monte Carlo simulation to analyze the empirical Type I error rates of GLMMs in split-plot designs. The variables manipulated were sample size, group size, number of repeat-ed measures, and correlation between repeated measures. Extreme condi-tions were also considered, including small samples, unbalanced groups, and different correlation in each group (pairing between group size and correlation between repeated measures). For balanced groups, the results showed that the group effect was robust under all conditions, while for unbalanced groups the effect tended to be conservative with positive pair-ing and liberal with negative pairing. Regarding time and interaction ef-fects, the results showed, for both balanced and unbalanced groups, that: (a) The test was robust with low correlation (.2), but conservative for me-dium values of correlation (.4 and .6), and (b) the test tended to be con-servative for positive and negative pairing, especially the latter.Our work was funded by the grants PSI2016-78737-P and PID2020-113191GB-I00 (AEI/FEDER, UE) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation

A New Kind of Quinonic-Antibiotic Useful Against Multidrug-Resistant S. aureus and E. faecium Infections

Indexación: Scopus.A rapid emergence of resistant bacteria is occurring worldwide, endangering the efficacy of antibiotics and reducing the therapeutic arsenal available for treatment of infectious diseases. In the present study, we developed a new class of compounds with antibacterial activity obtained by a simple, two step synthesis and screened the products for in vitro antibacterial activity against ATCC® strains using the broth microdilution method. The compounds exhibited minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 1⁻32 μg/mL against Gram-positive ATCC® strains. The structure⁻activity relationship indicated that the thiophenol ring is essential for antibacterial activity and the substituents on the thiophenol ring module, for antibacterial activity. The most promising compounds detected by screening were tested against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) clinical isolates. We found remarkable activity against VREF for compounds 7 and 16, were the MIC50/90 were 2/4 µg/mL and 4/4 µg/mL, respectively, while for vancomycin the MIC50/90 was 256/512 µg/mL. Neither compound affected cell viability in any of the mammalian cell lines at any of the concentrations tested. These in vitro data show that compounds 7 and 16 have an interesting potential to be developed as new antibacterial drugs against infections caused by VREF.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/7/177